The main objectives of this proposal are: 1) To study the effects of LVRS in addition to maximal medical therapy when compared to maximal medical therapy alone in terms of improvement of physiology and quality of life. 2) To better define preoperative selection criteria to determine which patients would benefit from this surgical intervention. To accomplish these objectives, patients who meet clinical criteria and complete a pulmonary rehabilitation-program will be randomized into 2 groups: 1) Continuing optimal medical care or 2) bilateral LVRS via median sternotomy in addition to medical therapy.